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FIFA World Cup 2026 posterCleary v Moses: Blues plot halves balancing act
George Clarke, AAP •  May 25th, 2026 4:40 pm
NSW are confident there won't be a power play for the ball between Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Reece Robson might be the NSW player with the hardest job in the State of Origin series opener: working out whether to give the ball to Nathan Cleary or Mitchell Moses.
Cleary and Moses, who were the halves when NSW won game one in Brisbane last year, will play just their second Origin game together on Wednesday night at Accor Stadium.
The NSW halves pairing are both lead playmakers at club level but instinctive Parramatta captain Moses will slot in at five-eighth, with Penrith superstar Cleary given the nod to be the team's on-field general at halfback.
Concerns have been raised that having two ball-dominant halves could lead to a confusion as to how the Blues attack.
Nathan Cleary will play his 18th Origin game for the Blues in Sydney | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
But Robson, who has been named to start at hooker, says he will have no issue knowing whether to pass left or right.
"They're both great players and they both see the right opportunities at the right time," Robson said in Gosford on Monday.
"I guess if it's on the right side of the field, Nathan can see his options there and he wants to take it, Moey's not calling it because he knows it's the right way to go.
"When Moey is seeing something, it's Nate that's telling me to go the other way too, because we're all seeing stuff at the same time. It just just clicks when they're all great players.
"I'm lucky enough that I got to play alongside both of them last year in the series opener, so I know how they work together.
"I know how that's going to work, I know my job's very clear when they're both out there."
Reece Robson will feature in his fourth Origin series when he runs out at Accor Stadium | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
The No.9 also has strong chemistry with fullback James Tedesco and bench forward Victor Radley from his NRL season at the Sydney Roosters.
Robson has got through 80 minutes most weeks at NRL level but is expected to play in tandem with Blayke Brailey, who has been named for his Origin debut on the bench.
"It's about making sure I start the game well and put the team in the best spot to hopefully go on to win the game," Robson said.
"Smarter minds than me, like Laurie (Daley) and the coaching staff, will decide when that change needs to happen."
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of State of Origin I - this Wednesday from 9pm, available on all NZ frequencies and the app.
